Normal life in Khunti went completely out of gear on Sunday following the bandh called by various tribal organisations against the firing which took place at Saiko village under Murhu Police killing one person and leaving three others injured on Saturday. Seven police personnel also got injured during the clash with the agitated villagers.
Barring some two wheelers, four wheelers and heavy vehicles remained off the roads and owners of shops and other business establishments choose not to open it as protesters moved in groups shouting anti-government slogans throughout the day in Khunti.
“It was an unprecedented bandh where no vehicles plied on the roads and market remained completely closed after an appeal was made by us to support us on the issue. People preferred of their own, not to come out on roads throughout the day,” said tribal activist Dayamani Barla. Bandh was quite peaceful as no untoward incident took place during the day, she added.
Calling Saturday’s incident as a blot on the Constitution, Barla said that the State Government wanted to suppress the freedom of speech granted by it to every citizen of this Country. “Stopping people to walk on the roads to preventing them from attending the rally in Ranchi was completely unjustified which must be condemned,” she said.
A clash between the police and tribals took place while they were being stopped to move forward to take part in Adivasi Maha Aakrosh Rally called by Advasi Sangharsha Morcha at Morhabadi ground in Ranchi against the proposed amendments in CNT and SPT Acts by the State Government.
Former Minister and JVM leader Bandhu Tirkey said that a crowd of over 20-30,000 people came on the streets to support bandh who were looking agitated.
leader of Opposition Hemant Soren addressing a gathering in Khunti promised that being the leader of opposition, he will not let Raghubar government continue and stall the Assembly on the issue.
State Police however, claimed that it was watchful and keeping a close eye on the developments taking place in the region. “Some mobilization was also seen today in Khunti. We are watchful and keeping a close eye on the developments taking place in the region,” said IG (Operations) and Jharkhand Police Spokesperson MS Bhatia.
Though no FIR had been lodged till late in the evening while the report was being filed, the sources in the police department revealed that five persons have been named in the FIR along with 1,500 unknown others.